Caitlin Joyner will be the new executive secretary of the Virginia Peanut Growers Association and program director of the Virginia Peanut Board, succeeding Dell Cotton who served in those capacities for 20 years. 

Joyner officially takes over on Jan. 31, 2024, but she will join the staff and work with Cotton beginning in October until his retirement on Jan. 31. Cotton will continue his duties as manager of the Franklin, Va.-based Peanut Growers Cooperative Marketing Association. 

Joyner, a resident of Suffolk, Va., earned a B.S. degree in crop and soil science – agronomy from Virginia Tech and has an extensive FFA background at the state level. Most recently, she was the agriculture teacher/FFA adviser for King’s Fork and Nansemond River High Schools in Suffolk. Joyner lives in the Holland area with her husband Daniel and their young son. 

Caitlin Joyner. Credit: Virginia Peanut Growers Association